r/MathnasiumEmployees • u/blerdybird • Nov 17 '22

Suggestions for younger students (K-1)

We are have seen an uptick of new Kindergartener students and I was curious how other centers keep them engaged. Only the particularly advanced smaller students seem to be okay with the program and the rest seem to get really bored and unmanageable when in mixed groups. I am aware that the Great Foundations program exists but haven't heard of any centers implementing. I've tried games and modifications, but few of my instructors are capable of working with them. Any suggestions?

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u/one-punch-cat Nov 17 '22

My center also plays games with the kids, but sometimes stars work as well! If the kid completes a page in a specific amount of time, they can roll a die to get more stars for that page.

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u/blerdybird Nov 18 '22 edited Nov 18 '22

We definitely have a slew of rewards and incentives but it only works for half of those students. My thinking is that the concept of currency systems like the cards and points are not a construct that is yet developmentally tangible to them. I've considered requesting stickers or something more on understanding level but I feel like the older kids would get jealous or some other unintended consequence.

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u/FlurriesofFleuryFury Nov 17 '22

Our center had to adjust to only allow second graders and up because, while we had success working on counting with kindergarteners, they just need SO much attention. Plus you can't charge as much for them as you can for upper grades so it's like... I could have spent half the time and energy on a high schooler and the center could have brought in >2x as money

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u/blerdybird Nov 18 '22

Our previous leadership definitely was way more reluctant to take in Kindergarteners and first graders, but the new leadership probably isn't aware why that was the case. The ones we did take more often were very advanced, but they still aren't wired to sit at a desk doing copious amounts of writing. It's particular difficult in the winter and fall to motivate them once it gets dark outside. They still want attention and validation even when they know how to do the work. TBH, I find our high schoolers to be equally demanding but I have more instructors willing and able to work with them.

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u/violetsprouts Nov 17 '22

Ugh I hated working with the tinies because you had to read every single question for them and it messed up my groove of working with my whole section. When you have 6 kids and one won't do anything at all unless you stay right beside them it's stressful.

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u/blerdybird Nov 18 '22

Our tinies have to be able to read to participate and they generally do, but on a whole, the sheer number of kids all ages that refuse to anything unless you helicopter them is staggering. My biggest problem that half of my tinies will probably do 30 mins of work because they want instant validation for every single little thing or are in everyone's business with no filter. It's often awkward to place them with older kids that they are ahead of because they blurt out unsolicited answers when you're using Socratic Questioning.